About 40 years ago, it was a simple meeting. Brief introductions were made. She was the mother of a friend who lived at the beach. We were sitting in chairs near the water and savoring the cool breezes coming our way. So, this was my friend’s mother…Miss Julia.

Miss Julia spoke in those soft, Southern tones that declared she was a lady. She was carrying a big brimmed straw hat that stated a lady needs to protect her face from getting freckled. She sat down, joined us, and turned to declare, “I have finished my book.” At that time, I was a professional writer so her declaration really caught my attention.

Miss Julia had been working on a family tree and writing individual stories on her ancestors. This interested me since this family history writing was new and unfamiliar to me. So, I asked her, “Miss Julia, may I read your book, please?” Reverently she handed me the notebook binder of stories.

As I sat on the covered porch in a rocker, I met the most interesting people. Her family were true Southerners…delightful, warm, friendly, various jobs devoted to service of others. I spent a delightful afternoon in the company of Miss Julia’s family.

Little did I know or Miss Julia either…she planted a seed that day: a flower that would grow to fruition in 20 more years. That’s when I discovered Ancestry and how to put a tree together. Then it would lead me to Amy Johnson Crow who would mentor mein her 52 Ancestors. The family storytelling has and will continue to come full circle. Thank you, Miss Julia.